Sorting and counting apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a novel apparatus for sorting and counting objects of different sizes and is especially applicable to the sorting of coins and to providing a money value readout of the sorted coins. In accordance with the invention, the coins are simultaneously counted and sorted by providing a channel along which the coins are directed, the channel comprising n predetermined detection points (where n is equal to the number of different sizes) with (n-1) sized exits, each exit being between two adjacent detection points. An nth exit is provided after the nth detection point. The exits are arranged such that the smallest sized exit appears at the head of the channel, the exit sizes increasing in size to the foot of the channel. Each coin which passes a detection point is detected and counted, and in order to determine the number of one type of coins, i.e., the number of coins which have exited at the ith (i-1 to n) exit, the number of coins detected at the (i+1)th exit is subtracted from the number of coins detected at the ith exit. The number of largest size coins is determined directly by the count on the nth detector point. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detector points comprise photoelectric devices.

mm States atent 1 Kofsky soimNo AND COUNTING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Harvey Irwin Kofslty, 3250 Ellendale Ave, Apt. 504, Montreal, Canada [22] Filed: June 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 261,797

Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Joseph J. Rolla [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to a novel apparatus for sorting ,ian. 15, 197d and counting objects of'different sizes and is especially applicable to the sorting of coins and to providing a money value readout of the sorted coins. ln accordance with the invention, the coins are simultaneously counted and sorted by providing a channel along which the coins are directed, the channel comprising 11 predetermined detection points (where n is equal to the number of different sizes) with (n-l) sized exits, each exit being between two adjacent detection points. An nth exit is provided after the nth detection point. The exits are arranged such that the smallest sized exit appears at the head of the channel, the exit sizes increasing in size to the foot of the channel. Each coin which passes a detection point is detected and counted, and in order to determine the number of one type of coins, i.e., the number of coins which have exited at the ith (i-l to 11) exit, the number of coins detected at the (i+1)th exit is subtracted from the num ber of coins detected at the ith exit. The number of largest size coins is determined directly by the count on the nth detector point. ln accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detector points comprise photoelectric devices.

4 Claims, 1 Drawing lFigure COUNTER COUNTER COUNTER COUNTER? UTILIZATION MEANS AUXILIARY COUNTER AND LOGIC T0 UTILIZATION I I MEANS PATENIEDJAII I5 I974 3.785.386

2| 2Ia 2 220 23 23a 24 24a I COUNTE R COUNTER COUNTER COUNTER UTILIZATION MEANS f AUXILIARY COUNTER AND LOGIC To UTILIZATION I l I MEANS CLOCK SORTING AND COUNTING APPARATUS Another facet of the invention relates to novel means for performing the required subtraction. A counter means is connected to the output of each detector whereby the count of a counter is advanced by one each time a coin passes its associated detector. The maximum count of all detectors is identical, and a means, such as a flip-flop, is provided each counter for indicating when that particular counter has been advanced to its maximum count. A clock is connected in parallel to all of the counters so that the count of all the counters is advanced by one on the transmission of a clock pulse. The output of the flip-flops are fed to an auxiliary counter and logic means. When all of the coins have exited from the channel, the clock is actuated. To understand how the subtraction is performed, we will consider what happens when the ith counter reaches its maximum count. The flip-flop on the ith counter is then tripped to inform the auxiliary counter and logic unit that the ith counter has reached its maximum count and to command it to start counting the pulses requir ed to advance the (i+lth counter to its maximum count. This count is terminated when the flip-flop on the (i+1)th counter is tripped, and the number of pulses thus counted is equal to the count on the ith counter prior to the commencement of the clocking, less the count on the (i+ 1 )t h counter prior to the commencement of the clocking.

This invention relates to a novel method for sorting objects of different sizes by size and for counting the sorted objects, as well as to apparatus for carrying out the method.

Although not restricted thereto, the invention is par-.

ticularily applicable to sorting coins, such as quarters, dimes nickels and pennies etc., and to counting the sorted coins and providing a total equal to the money value of the sorted coins.

Most prior art coin sorting machines use a mechanical lever, under which each coin passes in a standing position, to measure the height of each coin, and thus detect the type of coin it is, in order to effect the counting operation. Basically, each coin must pass through a slot like arrangement over which the lever is located. The lever is moveable, and is lifted to different heights in dependance on the size of the coin whichlpasses under it. The height to which the lever is lifted is detected, and, in this way, the type of coin which has passed under the lever is detected.

With the above machine, the speed of operation is limited by the speed at which the lever can move as, after detecting one coin, the lever must fall to its initial position before it can begin to detect a secondcoin. In addition, as the height of the coin is measured at its highest point only, if the coin is not perfectly straight when it passes under the lever, or if the coin is worn, the machine is subject to error.

In the prior art machines of the type discussed above, the coins are counted and then sorted. The readout indicates how many of each type of coin has been counted, i.e., 20 quarters, l dimes, rather than indicating the money value of the coins, i.e., $6.00.

In the inventive method and apparatus, the coins are simultaneously counted and sorted. The coins are directed down a channel having a predetermined number of detection points, with a sized exit between each two adjacent detection points. At each of the exits, only coins of the size of the sized exits, are permitted to exit from the channel. The exits are arranged such that the smallest size exit appears first and the exits increase in size along the channel.

The coins are counted by detecting all and counting all of the coins which pass the nth point and detecting and counting all the coins which pass the (n+1 )th point and subtracting the count of the (tH-l)th point from the count at the nth point. The result is the number of coins which have exited in the sized exit between these points.

This procedure is continued until only the largest size coin is left. Here, it is only necessary to count the number of coins passing a last point, and this will be equal to the number of largest coins. Thus, in the inventive method and apparatus, there is no need to count each type of coin individually, nor is there any need to provide apparatus for measuring the height of each coin during the counting operation.

As the detection of the number of coins passing a point can be effected by optical means, such as photo electric devices, or electronic devices such as pressure switches, the counting operation will not limit the speed of operation of the apparatus. In addition, as it is not the size of the coin that is detected at each detection point, but rather the presence of any coin, the disposition of the coin as it passes the detection point is not critical. Nor will the physical state of the coins affect the precision or accuracy of the apparatus.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the subtraction required with the above method and apparatus is effected by connecting a counter to each point and advancing the counter by one unit each time a coin passes the point. Thus, if 15 coins pass the first point and 10 coins pass the second point, the counter associated with the first point will register 15 and the counter associated with the second point will register 10. Each counter is capable of registering the same maximum count. When all the coins have passed all points, a common clock, which drives all of the counters, is actived. The clock will advance the count of each counter until the maximum count is registered on the counter. When the maximum count of the counter associated with the first count is registered, this count is detected and a circuit for counting the number of pulses from the clock needed to advance the counter associated with the second point, to the maximum count, is activated. The pulses are counted, and the number of pulses thus counted is equal to the number of coins which have passed the first point less the number of coins which have passed the second point.

Considering the example above wherein 15 coins have passed the first point and 10 coins have passed the second point, as above-mentoned, the first counter will register 15 and the second counter will register 10. Suppose the maximum count registerable is 22. After the coins have passed all points, the clock is activated. Seven pulses from the clock are required to advance the first counter from 15 to its maximum of 22. These same 7 pulses will advance the second counter to a count of 17. When the first counter registers 22 the circuit for counting the pulses required to advance the count of the second counter to 22 is activated, and the number of pulses required to advance the count of the second counter to 22 is counted. As can be seen, the number of pulses required to advance the second counter to 22 is 5, i.e., the difference between the 15 count on the first counter and the 10 count on the second counter.

When the count of the second counter has been advanced to its maximum, a further counter for counting the pulses required to advance the third counter to its maximum is activated and so on down the line. In a preferred embodiment, shown below, the amount of largest coins does not have to be calculated but can be counted directly on the last counter.

Although the above description has been directed at coin sorting and counting, it is of course understood that the inventive apparatus and method can be adapted for the purpose of counting and sorting other objects which can be seperated into different sizes, provided always that the sizes are standard.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the following description together with the accompanying drawing in which a schematic representation of a system, in accordance with the invention, is illustrated.

Referring now to the drawing, 1,2,3,4 and represent coin detection devices such as photo electric cells or microswitches as mentioned above. The boxes 11, 12, 13 and 14 represent slots which will permit one size of object to leave the path defined by the lines 100 and 101. So, in the consideration of a coin sorting machine, slot 11 will permit only dimes to fall through, 12 will permit pennies to fall through, 13 will permit nickels to fall through and 14 will catch all the quarters. It can thus be seen that all of the coins will pass detector 1, all of the coins less the dimes will pass detector 2, all of the coins less the dimes and pennies will pass detector 3, and only quarters will pass detector 4.

Thus, if one subtracts the number of coins which have passed detector 2 from the number of coins which have passed detector 1, the resulting sum is equal to the number of dimes directed down the path 100/101. Again, if the number of coins which have passed detector 3 is subtracted from the number of coins which have passed detector2, the result is the number of pennies directed down the path 100/101, and if the number of coins passing detector 4 is subtracted from the number of coins passing detector 3, the result is the number of nickels directed down the path. The number of coins passing detector 4 is the number of quarters directed down the path, and this count can be utilized directly in utilization means.

The outputs of detectors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are connected respectively to counters 21, 22, 23 and 24 whereby the count on each counter is advanced by one each time the detector detects a coin passing. Each counter contains a flip-flop or similar circuitry to indicate that the particular counter has reached its maximum count. The outputs of all the counters are connected to auxiliary counter and logic means 10, and in addition, the output of counter 24 is connected directly to utilization means, which would consist of calculating or computing means. The output of the counter is also fed to utilization means.

A clock 20 is connected in parallel to all of the counters such as to advance the count on each counter by one on each clock pulse. In addition, the clock is connected to the auxiliary counter 10.

In operation, the apparatus works as follows. A coin lifter mechanism, not shown in the drawing, as it does not constitute a part of the invention and is well known in the art, brings coins to be counted and sorted to the path 1 00/ 101 and directs them down the path. As the coins proceed down the path, the dimes will fall out at slot 11, and the pennies will fall out slot 12, the nickels will fall out at slot 13 and the quarters will be caught in slot 14.

The detectors 1, 2, 3 and 4 detect each coin which passes them, and advances their respective counters by 1 each time a coin is detected. When all of the coins have exited from the path, a switch means 30, which may be manually or automatically operated, activates the clock 20. Each pulse of the clock advances all of the counters by one. When counter 21 reaches its maximum count (it is noted that, as the maximum count on each counter is the same, the second counter cannot reach its maximum count before the first counter does. In the limiting case, where there are no dimes, the second counter will reach its maximum count at the same time that the first counter reaches the maximum count. The same is true of any higher numbered counter relative to a lower numbered counter.) it trips the flip-flop 21a which commands the logic in unit 10 to start counting the clock pulses. The counting activety on the auxiliary counter 10 will continue until counter 22 is advanced to the maximum count. When this happens, flip-flop 22a is tripped which commands the unit 10 to provide a readout to the utilization means of the number of pulses thus far counted, and to resume the count from 1. The second count continues until flip-flop 23a is tripped where upon a readout of the second count is provided to the utilization means and a third count commences. At the end of the third count, all of the data required by the utilization means has been provided, and a calculation can be performed to provide the money value of the coins which have passed down the path /101.

As is obvious, the calculation to be performed in the above described case is as follows:

Money Value 25 (count on each counter 24) l0 (first count on auxiliary counter 10) 5 (second count on auxiliary counter 10) third count on auxiliary counter 10).

The money value thus calculated is then displayed on a visual readout device, such as nixie lights, a number wheel, a printer etc.

It is noted that the device will not give a correct readout if the number of coins processed in one batch exceeds the maximum count on the counters. This factor must be taken account of when designing a specific apparatus for a specific use.

Although the above example has been directed to a coin sorting and counting apparatus, it is of course under stood that the invention can be used in apparatus adapted to count and sort other objects, provided that the objects are graded in standard sizes, and the example above was given for the purpose of describing, but not limiting the invention. In addition, various modifications, which will come readily to the mind of one skilled in the art are considered to be with in the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for sorting and counting batches of coins of a number of different sizes and comprising; a channel along which said coins are directed from one end thereof to a second end thereof, said channel comprising n spaced photoelectric devices each having output means, where n is equal to the number of different tween two adjacent photoelectric devices, the size of each exit corresponding to a different size coin, an nth exit following the nth photoelectric device, the output means of each photoelectric device being connected to the input of a separate counter means, whereby the count of any counter is advanced by one each time a coin passes the photoelectric device associated with said any counter,each said counter being adapted to count to the same predetermined maximum count, and flip-flop means attached to each counter for indicating when the counter has advanced to the predetermined maximum count, the number of coins in any batch being less than said maximum count, clock means adapted to be activated after all coins have exited from said channel and connected to all of the counter means in parallel and adapted to simultaneously advance the count of all the counters by 1 on the transmission of a clock pulse, and auxiliary counter and logic means, the outputs of said flip-flop means being connected to said auxilary counter and logic means whereby to indicate thereto when the maximum count has been reached on an ith counter (Fl to n) and to thereby command said auxiliary counter and logic means to count the number of clock pulses required to advance the count of the fiifith counter to the maximum count.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said objects comprises money coins consisting of at least dimes, pennies, nickels and quarters, and wherein said exit closest to said one end of said channel will permit only dimes to exit from said channel, said exit next closest to said one end of said channel will permit pennies to exit from said channel, and said exit third removed from said one end of said channel will permit nickels to exit from said channel.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further comprising utilization means, the output of said nth counter being connected directly to said utilization means, the output of said auxiliary counter and logic means being connected to said utilization means; said utilization means being adapted to calculate the money value of all the coins directed down the channel.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further comprising readout means for providing a readout of said calculated value. 

1. Apparatus for sorting and counting batches of coins of a number of different sizes and comprising; a channel along which said coins are directed from one end thereof to a second end thereof, said channel comprising n spaced photoelectric devices each having output means, where n is equal to the number of different sizes, (n-1) sized exits, each said exit being located between two adjacent photoelectric devices, the size of each exit corresponding to a different size coin, an nth exit following the nth photoelectric device, the output means of each photoelectric device being connected to the input of a separate counter means, whereby the count of any counter is advanced by one each tIme a coin passes the photoelectric device associated with said any counter,each said counter being adapted to count to the same predetermined maximum count, and flip-flop means attached to each counter for indicating when the counter has advanced to the predetermined maximum count, the number of coins in any batch being less than said maximum count, clock means adapted to be activated after all coins have exited from said channel and connected to all of the counter means in parallel and adapted to simultaneously advance the count of all the counters by 1 on the transmission of a clock pulse, and auxiliary counter and logic means, the outputs of said flip-flop means being connected to said auxilary counter and logic means whereby to indicate thereto when the maximum count has been reached on an ith counter (i 1 to n) and to thereby command said auxiliary counter and logic means to count the number of clock pulses required to advance the count of the (i+1)th counter to the maximum count.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said objects comprises money coins consisting of at least dimes, pennies, nickels and quarters, and wherein said exit closest to said one end of said channel will permit only dimes to exit from said channel, said exit next closest to said one end of said channel will permit pennies to exit from said channel, and said exit third removed from said one end of said channel will permit nickels to exit from said channel.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further comprising utilization means, the output of said nth counter being connected directly to said utilization means, the output of said auxiliary counter and logic means being connected to said utilization means; said utilization means being adapted to calculate the money value of all the coins directed down the channel.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further comprising readout means for providing a readout of said calculated value. 